Summary

In "The Year 2003 Minus 20," when Reney was eight, she and Justine moved out of Lula and Granny's house. She missed Granny, but knew "her place [was] with her mom" (57). They no longer went to church. Working at a factory, Justine now wore makeup and dressed less conservatively. After Kenny left, new men visited her often. Reney did not “know what her mom [was] looking for in the men or nonstop working”; she did not understand what made Justine so restless (62).

Then Justine started seeing a Texas cowboy named Pitch. Reney liked his playfulness. Justine seemed bothered by his lack of focus, warning Reney not to get attached. Soon enough, Pitch and Justine started fighting. She saw Pitch hurt Justine. Pitch got so mad one day, he left. The next morning, Justine and Reney talked about...